Page 38 of Call Sign: Thunder
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Thirty hours later,Zach felt like a different man than he'd been only two days before. He had happily holed up in their suite with the hope of getting Allie on the road to recovery from the kidnapping. Now, as he held her napping in his arms, he knew she'd ended up changing him more than he cared to admit.
He'd expected to start feeling the normal urge to drop her off at her home, ready to regain his privacy again. Instead, he found himself dreading having to say goodbye to her later that afternoon. He’d even caught himself several times picturing her in his apartment, wondering what it would be like to have her waiting for him when he got home each day.
In the end, he knew they were moving too fast. She needed more time to recover. So he'd texted with her father the night before to let him know Allison was doing well and she'd be home on Sunday. Zach had to get back to the base for work the next day. And Allie, well, she needed to move on with her life, free of the demons that had been haunting her.
Damn, he'd had fun helping her drive those demons out. His dick was actually tender they'd fucked so much in the last day.
They had christened the entire suite—her splayed out on the dining room table, Allie bent over the back of the couch she'd been spanked on, under the hot spray of the shower, and even on the bathroom counter where she'd banged her head over and over against the huge mirror as he'd pounded into her. Most surprising to Zach, they'd even made love tenderly in the bed in the middle of the night, both falling back asleep with his softening erection still inside her.
Between their passionate sexcapades, they had talked about nothing and everything, taking breaks to eat and nap. He couldn't remember having a better weekend in his whole life and he hated that it had to end.
"Allie, honey. It's time to get up. We've already blown past the check-out time."
She snuggled in closer against his chest. "Who cares. They'll just charge another day."
"Spoken like the rich girl you are."
"I resent that. I can't help it if my dad spoils me."
A new anxiety hit Zach. She was used to living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. He'd never be able to provide her with that kind of life. Then it hit him. He was subconsciously contemplating a future with her. There was no denying it. It had finally happened. He'd found a woman who made him think about settling down, but realistically there was no way he could ever make her happy in the long run. He wouldn’t be able to provide for her the way she’d lived her entire life.
He tried to push the sadness down. He didn't want to ruin their last few hours together worrying about a future that could never be. He was a marine. Her father was a US Senator. Allie deserved someone who didn't take off on dangerous missions. Who wouldn't leave for parts unknown on a regular basis, disappearing for weeks or months on end as he was deployed across the globe, leaving her home in military housing. Even if they wanted to give it a shot, he knew her father wouldn't allow Allie to have a relationship with an officer. He'd proven he'd stop at nothing to control his daughter's life.
Wouldn’t it be better to walk away clean today with each of them keeping the memories of their fun weekend?
Two hours later, they found themselves in the back of the limo her father had sent to pick them up. A heavy sadness permeated the luxurious space until Zach found it hard to breathe. When he couldn't stand it any longer, he pulled Allison into his lap, hugging her close against his chest, comforted by the way she clung to him.
Too soon they pulled into the circle drive of the two-story mansion Allison called home. It was another cruel reminder that he'd never be able to provide a home even close to this luxury on his salary. Reason five-hundred and thirty-five why it was best they’d say goodbye today and go their own ways.
The driver opened the door next to them, but neither moved to get out. Allison clung to him tighter, the sound of a sob escaping as she cried against his chest. He didn't blame her. He had a damn lump in his own throat at the thought of saying farewell.
"Shhh. It's okay, honey. You're going to be okay now."
"No I'm not! Not without you. I feel it, Zach. You aren't coming back, are you?"
He'd never lied to women before and he sure as hell wasn't going to start with Allison. Swallowing down the lump, he answered. “It's for the best. You'll see. You'll meet some great guy who will adore you."
"I already met a great guy. I want you!"
"Allison, come out of the car and into the house." Her father was standing outside the open car door. The men's eyes connected, but Zach couldn't get a read on the senator.
He reluctantly stepped out of the car with Allison still cradled in his arms. "Mr. Benson."
"Captain Garrett." Her father hesitated before suggesting, "Bring her inside if you would."
"Of course, sir."
They climbed the wide front steps lined with small shrubs. Twinkling Christmas lights lit up most of the trees and bushes on the estate and when they stepped into the large two-story foyer, a mammoth decorated tree occupied a third of the space.
Once inside, Zach released Allie's legs, letting her down slowly, keeping an arm wrapped around her for support. Her sobs had stopped, but she still clung to him as if she might be able to keep him from leaving.
Her father stepped closer, lifting her chin so he could see her tear-stained face. Zach had no idea what he was looking for, but the elder man looked his daughter up and down for a full minute, taking what sounded like a relieved sigh as he turned to Zach.
"She's been eating again."
"Yes, sir."
